A new Guidehouse Insights report, The Renewable Energy Economic Benefits of Microgrids, reveals the forecasted growth and economic benefits of microgrids to create a compelling case for why policymakers, businesses, and renewable energy advocates should collaborate, invest in and scale up implementation of microgrids. The report takes a high-level forecast of microgrids growth within the United States, and features California and Puerto Rico as case studies. Both areas have experienced power disruptions caused by natural disasters attributed to climate change, inducing long-term impacts on local economies.

Microgrids are not only a solution for climate resilience, but also for economic resilience. According to Guidehouse, every $1 million invested in renewable energy microgrid assets will create 3.4 skilled jobs and $500,000 in economic benefits. Further, both Puerto Rico and California have mandates of 100% renewable energy by 2050. Through exploring the less researched space of the impacts that microgrids have on economies, this report showcases microgrids as the best viable pathway to meeting state-level climate goals.

Among the key findings for California:

• Investment in renewable microgrid assets in California […]